What should I do before I put my property on the market?

This question often comes up (or should come up) during a listing discussion with your agent. It is such an important part of selling or leasing a property that it should always be addressed.Let’s say you just lost your tenant. Whenever a tenant leaves, they leave your space in a pristine manner. Of course that’s not true! The lease says they should leave your space broom clean, subject to only the wear and tear of their occupancy. Sometimes they do leave after vacuuming their space and cleaning everything. In that case, you are thankful and then happily return their deposit.

Other tenants move out in the middle of the night, leaving you with everything that they didn’t want, or anything with no value. Others move out and take their fixtures and all the other items that they used in their business. Have you ever seen a closed grocery store? It’s not a pretty picture. So, if your tenant is gone, you have lost your income stream. The last thing you want to do is spend money. However, I would argue that’s the first thing you want to do, even before putting the property on the market.I use the “3 Strike” rule when discussing how to get a property ready for market. We have all heard of the term “curb appeal” when it relates to buying or selling a house. Commercial properties have “curb appeal” as well. When a broker brings a tenant or a buyer to your property, their first impression is just as important.Summer time is a great time for weeds to flourish. Many times I have gone to a property to see an abundance of everything growing but grass. Sometimes there is trash in the parking lot. It all makes you think the property is in foreclosure. Strike One.After getting your machete out and making it into the front door, you go to flip the light switch and they won’t turn on. There are not many things worse than walking through a strange space, with a flashlight, and hoping not to trip on something on the floor. Strike Two.Then you get to the storage room or warehouse and it’s full of trash. Did I mention the windows were all dirty as well? I’m sure avocado green or burnt orange carpet is coming back in style. I think I saw that same wood paneling on an episode of Mad Men. Strike 3.Everyone always wants to get the maximum amount for their rent or sale price. My suggestion is to help yourself out. Give your property that “wow” factor that attracts a buyer or tenant. Give yourself a chance to hit that single, double, triple, or hit that home run!